"The really rewarding aspect of this research is that these women who told us that they wanted a fashionable bag to carry, not a medical device, are suddenly having people come up and ask them where they can buy a purse like theirs," said Barnwell.
While the bag is now the focus of Tullio-Pow and Barnwell's ongoing research and market field trial, during the original needs analysis the duo did create a full clothing line for the group (four tops, a pant, a jacket, a blouse, and a cape). The designs incorporated deep arm holes and wide sleeves into fashionable designs to camouflage the asymmetry in the arms. Their greatest innovation was using magnets for closures.
The next step is to test market the customized bag to a broader group. A limited number of bags will be available for purchase online beginning in mid-October. Consumers will be encouraged to share their feedback with the researchers. Ryerson University is currently seeking industry partners to collaborate in the production and distribution of Tullio-Pow and Barnwell's designs.
Tullio-Pow and Barnwell's research Lymphedema Lines: Clothing and Accessories for Female Breast Cancer Patients at Princess Margaret Hospital, won top prize at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Education.
A follow-up paper entitled I Can't Find a Thing to Wear: Designing Innovative Functional Apparel and Accessories for Female Breast Cancer Survivors with Lymphedema, wasaccepted by the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncologists for their Annual General Meeting.
Largely funded through Ryerson University, this research also received funding through the Princess Margaret Weekend to End Breast Cancer, and an Ontario Partnership in Innovation Commercialization (OPIC) grant.
marketing@alchempro.com
